ZimTrade signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Senior Experten Service (SES), a German volunteer organisation; for retired experts to assist Zimbabwe’s companies, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who require technical assistance in the manufacturing sector.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing productivity and export competitiveness through factory floor interventions according to ZimTrade.
“Through this partnership, SES experts will provide assistance to the manufacturing value chain, which includes processes design, factory floor layout, production technologies, material-handling and product design, amongst others,” states ZimTrade on its website.
SMEs have been growing to over two million in Zimbabwe as the country’s industrial sector declined in numbers over the past years.
The MoU is signed at a time when the government is supporting the SMEs through funding.
Zimbabwe’s government unveiled a US$90 million package for the SMEs sector which seems to have become a source of employment for the youths including graduates.
During the launch of the funding package, the Minister of SMEs Sithembiso Nyoni commented on the need for education in the growing sector.
“Now that they (SMEs) they know they have a US$90 million facility, they should be given education on how to use the money wisely so as to prepare them for the real world of doing business,” said Nyoni in the The Chronicle.
SMEs have been complaining in the past about businesses lacking funds to grow.
SES VOLUNTEERS are experts and executives who are either retired or taking some time off work and the organisation has done projects in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
The organisation provides technical assistance to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) by sending experts to assist in improving productivity, quality and ultimately impact economic performance according to Zimtrade.
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